Name
William Drackett
8/02/1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/06/1917
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
L/15142
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY, KASSEL
11 J 9
Germany
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
South Mimms Village Memorial
Pre War
William Henry DRACKETT was born in South Mimms, Hertfordshire, on 8th February 1887, son of Joseph Drackett, a Blacksmith and Maria Rachel Drackett (nee Warner). One of six children although two died in infancy.
1891 Census records William aged 4, at school, living with his parents, brothers George (9), Charles (7) and sister Emily (9 Months) in Green Street, Shenley, Herts.
1901 Census, William aged 13, has left school and is working as a General Farm Labourer, living with his parents, brothers George, Charles and sister Emily in South Mimms, Herts, His father is recorded as a General Farm Labourer. His mother Maria died in 1907, aged 50.
1911 Census, William (24), is recorded as single, a General Farm Labourer, living with his widowed father, brother Charles and sister Emily, in South Mimms, Herts.
Wartime Service
William enlisted at Barnet, Herts, in the Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment) issued with the service number L/15142. Initially serving with the 13th Battalion, later transferred to the 17th Battalion. On completion of his training William arrived in France on 4th October 1915.
He was wounded in action and take a Prisoner of War (POW). He died while a POW, on 9th June 1917, we believe he was initial buried in Niederbuehl Military Cemetery Extension in Germany, on 11th June 1917. Later reburied at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Hessen, Germany. Grave Ref; II. J. 9. When cemeteries were concentrated.
His records on Soldiers Died in the Great War database shows he died in France; it is more probable he was captured and died whilst held as a Prisoner of War in Germany. The cemetery he was buried in was built for those who died at the local POW camp used for holding prisoners.
Additional Information
His effects of £22-10s-09d pay owing and his war gratuity of £16, went to his father Joseph Drackett.
His brother Private 18969 Charles William Drackett, of the Grenadier Guards was Killed in Action on 25th August 1918.
We believe his elder brother George was a Sergeant with the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) with the service number 7088, later 564054 when service numbers were standardised, George survived the war.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Brian Lodge
